How would you like the 'light' or 'easy' mode to be called?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hello

At Iron Wolf Studio, we have been thinking for some time how to call the 'easy mode' that the game is going to have. It will feature more of an RTS experience with a top-down view, but you will still be controlling your destroyer, albeit from a World of Warships-inspired TPP camera.

Therefore, while this mode will retain everything that the original game has, it will also give the player all the information in a simplified format, that is easily understood by a person not well-acquainted with naval warfare simulators. It will consist of the top-down view where you can control your AI escorts and assess the overall situation, and of the TPP view, where you maneuver your destroyer, launch depth charges, etc. In this latter view, you will also have access to DRT, OSC, Sonar, Radar, although in a simplified/automated form.

So, the question now is what sort of a name would be appropriate for this kind of game mode. Initially, I called it 'arcade mode', but as it was strictly a working title, I have come up with 'tactical mode'. Since Destroyer is a tactical simulation and you take away the simulation aspect in this mode, what you are left is the 'tactical' part of the game.

There have been other suggested names, including 'cruise mode', or even 'gung-ho mode', but I think there could be other alternatives.

So, what do you think? Is there a name that would describe it well and at the same time appeal to both subsimmers and the casual crowd alike?

[mapuc]

What about Novice ?

Markus

[Artur Salwarowski]

You mean Novice mode? Hmm, I guess that could work... Although I'm not sure if I would like to play that mode for a prolonged period of time and think of myself as a novice, but perhaps that would incite me to try the simulation mode faster Thanks, I'm adding it to my list!

Any other suggestions?

[Oubaas]

Flag - Provides staff level interaction with greater access to Intel and more delegation of duties.


VS


Command - Provides command level interaction with more hands-on shipboard-centered play and less delegation of duties.


=====

COMDESRON vs Command-at-Sea
Commodore vs Captain
DESRON vs Command
CIC vs Bridge
Crew vs Command
Staff vs Command
Operations Officer vs Captain

I guess it depends on how you want to look at it. The thing to avoid is making players feel diminished if they choose the more simplified mode.

[Artur Salwarowski]

Thanks a lot, I really like the ideas and the kind of approach that you have proposed. It is a tough issue, because we don't want to dishearten or otherwise offend any of the two target groups. Either way, this is some serious food for thought, thank you!

[Bubblehead1980]

Novice. Simple, easy to understand description and may inspire others to learn for the " regular" or "advanced" mode.



I know SH 4 is a subsim but its a great example of a bungle of "novice" mode, mainly with the targeting of torpedoes. Instead of a respectable novice mode (and more realistic) where crew provides targeting information based on observations...its point your scope and the corny little green, yellow, or red triangle. Immersion killer and can get quite boring.

[Artur Salwarowski]

Yes, we are aiming for meaningful gampleay regardless of the mode, so that the 'Novice mode' (I'm beginning to like this ) is not dumbed down to the point of being disrespectful. The thing is that the most issues that have been raised by new players is lack of awareness and that they are finding it difficult to find their bearings (pun intended) in the 360-degree system.

To me it seems very weird that anyone could find it complicated... It's just a bering and a distance, and yet A LOT of people react to it like a deer in the headlights

Anyhow, there is a lot going on with the game right now, so keep your fingers crossed for both the original (simulation) mode and the new one - hopefully it will bring in a few new souls into the genre